Back from the manipulated, misinformed and misguided minds on the right.

This past week I have been thinking about Virginia Thomas, wife of SCOTUS Justice Clarence Thomas. I have been trying to put into realistic perspective why she did what she did.

When you google Virginia Thomas you get over 8,000,000 results. Now, I am sure they are not all about her, but when you click through any number of pages (I clicked though the first eighteen google pages) you find that every link is related to her and her now infamous phone message to Anita Hill. However, every article seems to just report the voice message itself and how it was bizarre to do such a thing. It also on occasion mentions her affiliation with a certain tea party group, but more on that later.

What I found interesting was that in all those pages of stories, nothing was mentioned about her possible motive for doing such an odd thing. For some reason this story became about some potentially crazy woman who perhaps drunk dialed her nemesis rather than what I believe it actually was: a clear calculated political move.

Now, for those not aware of what I am talking about, some brief background: Virginia Thomas is the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Way back in 1991 he was nominated to the Supreme Court by George Dubya the 1st. At the time he worked with a young black woman named Anita Hill who testified that while she worked with Mr. Thomas he made some sexually provocative statements towards her. She was asked to tell her story as a clever gotcha ploy by Democrats to kick Thomas down a few notches and make his nomination to the court a bit more difficult.

Rep. John Adler: “Can you give me an example from the last 10 or 15 years of a Supreme Court decision in which you strongly disagree?”

Candidate (R): “That I strongly disagree with?”…”Dred Scott.”

Audience: laughter!

Now I know what you are thinking. What a moron! But hang on a minute. Do you know who gave this idiotic answer? I bet you don’t….but you will! And that is what I think is the genius of republicans and tea baggers this election season.

The numbskull who cited Dred Scott as a Supreme Court Case within the last 10 – 15 years that he disagreed with is named Jon Runyan. He’s a former pro football player and the Republican nominee for congress in New Jersey. So no surprises so far. Those three criteria alone fits the bill of him being a moron. But there is something much more brilliant under the surface that requires our attention.

By tomorrow he will be the star on Maddow, Olberman and every other left wing TV show who will play this video clip. Heck, Scarborough will probably play the video as well. And then what happens? This twit will use his fifteen seconds of fame to ask for donations because the left wing is trying to smear him. He will say he misunderstood the question and what is REALLY important is that he disagrees with a court case that as TMP and slate.com pointed out is a dog-whistle to Roe v Wade. Wow! You learn something new every day.

Sounds complicated too right? Well that is my point. It seems that Dred Scott made clear something that strict constitutionalists, or those that claim to be (I.E. Republicans and Tea Baggers), do not deem worthy of consideration because it was not in the constitution. It was decided by activist judges making up laws based on their personal opinions. So if you say out loud that you are against Dred Scott you are REALLY saying that you are against Roe v. Wade. And if you are elected then any Justice to the Court will not “legislate from the bench” as they say. Get it? I know, it sounds way too complicated.

But if this is what they are doing then good lord it is genius! Politicians are talking in code to their voters and their donors. What sounds moronic, idiotic and stupefying to you and me is really a call to arms for anyone truly paying attention. Wow! I am in awe!

Maybe Christine O’Donnell by not knowing what the first amendment implies means that she would only vote for judges who read the constitution and do not use their brains to decipher its meaning. Maybe Sharon Angle’s seeing asians in a room full of latinos really means that she does not hate latinos and really hates asians. Truly brilliant!

I bet this jack-ass from Jersey was waiting to say Dred Scott no matter what the moderator asked him. If the moderator asked him boxers or briefs he would have blurted out “Dred Scott!” It is as if he knew all too well this call to arms and was told to say it by his handlers when he got the chance. He is like a walking enigma and republicans are listening in from Bletchley Park.

So the next time you hear some republican mispronouncing a name, not knowing anything about the constitution, american history or just seemingly cannot complete a coherent sentence, take a step back and think it through. You just be privy to a secret message and a real political genius in our midst. One to be in awe of in stead of laughing at.

Reading the news of late, I am incensed as to how these so-called “working folks” are trashing the Dems for the bad economy and job losses. Reading any article from any economist not a year ago, I could have told you exactly what voters and pundits would be saying about Obama today: The stimulus was too small, Republicans will NEVER work with Obama, Anything a Democrat does will be seen as socialist, Etc. Etc. Etc.

Who is surprised by this? Why did I know this but the White House didn’t? When has the tone ever been any different? Republicans use these same tired arguments every time they are out of power. Go back and watch the Clinton years and its the same damn thing. Taxes, big government, socialism and throw in some enemy of the state for good measure. This year it’s Mexicans. And somehow people still buy it hook line and sinker.

Christiane Amanpour on “This Week” this past Sunday spoke to working stiffs in some diner, always a diner. And their tome is alway the same…Dems have got to go this November! That is the accepted mantra across the country for those currently SOL thanks to the past eight years of republican rule. They also compound their argument with the idea that Dems are just not willing to work with republicans. Christ! I watch this and it makes me want to grab a chunk of cement off a building and chew it!

So what does this all mean? It means my friends that we are about to hand the keys back to republicans who have done nothing to earn it. Not that they ever did, but damn, if these past eight years taught us anything it’s that they should NEVER have the keys again.

But for some reason, this November thousands of sheeple who seem to have the memory of a sponge will go to the polls and vote for republicans somehow thinking that by doing so they will help even the playing field. I know, it makes my head explode too. Now, I can understand republicans voting for their own. Rich folks certainly will benefit as they always do. But what about the working folks?That working middle class that the media loves to talk about so much. What happens to them when they blindly vote out democrats in favor of people like Sharon Angle and Joe Miller and Rand Paul?

Are these people even watching the same stuff that I am watching? Sharon Angle wants to put your social security money into the stock market while Rand Paul thinks that civil rights are overstepping boundaries. Do voters hate Mexicans that much that they are willing to ignore these other larger more important issues? It certainly appears so.

And after the dust settles in November what will the voting middle class working stiffs find? Well, they will find that they were hoodwinked and SOL times ten! They are buying into circular logic that tell them:

Republicans care about their future and their jobs (so long as they are not government jobs.)

They want to get people back to work (but they approve every damn piece of legislation that promotes offshoring.)

They want to repeal Obama’s healthcare reform because it is not what the people want. (apparently the people want their pre-existing conditions back.)

They want to get rid of the minimum wage because it is unconstitutional. (Apparently those making minimum wage don’t vote.)

They want to abolish every government appointed group known to mankind, I.E. The EPA, BOE, IRS you name it. (don’t people work there too though? What about jobs?)

And if Christine O’Donnell wins we won’t be allowed to masturbate anymore! (thankfully she will not win, whew!)

Folks, we are in some serious shit. Come November no matter how you slice it, there will be a whole lot more republicans in power than the day before. This is such bad news that I can’t hardly stand to think about it. Eight years was a long time. How have so many forgotten about that already? They say Dems are disappointed by how Obama seemed to do things half-heartedly and with some kind of naiveté in terms of republicans working with him. But if we don’t go to the polls this November and vote for Democrats then what have we accomplished? Do you think that is teaching Obama a lesson? Will it make you feel like you had a say?

Remember, with more republicans back in power the media will be saying that the country WANTS republicans and we need to be moving even MORE to the right. I can’t stand to think about this but this is what we are in store for. And as a result of all of this I can only see two possible outcomes:

Republicans start agreeing with Obama’s policies and then taking credit for them since they will help the country.

Or more likely, they and FOX “News” will fight him tooth and nail from now until November 2012 and we end up with Joe Miller as our next president.

In the end, the irony of it all is that as always the folks who benefit the LEAST by voting republican are about to make that same mistake AGAIN! They can’t help themselves. Jobs are scarce and they will become even more so. They will hit even harder times in the years ahead. It is hard to watch people who need help throw it away because they buy into the lies on TV. But as usual those same people will pay the price again and again and again. I guess Mexicans are really just that bad.

You have to hand it to David Vitter. This guy has topped them all with this unbelievably racist commercial. This commercial is SO offensive that it becomes awe inspiring in its offensiveness. Kind of like how one would be impressed with how successful Hitler was in killing so many jews. As horrible as it is you have to give the guy a golf clap.

So props to you Mr. Vitter! You have raised the bar to an horrific new low in political ads. I defy any politician to top this one before November. They will try I am sure, but at least for now may I say, Dave, you sir reign supreme! Bravo!

Oh and for those keeping score, Vitter is between 7 and 16 points ahead. Hey, but at least the good folks of Louisiana can now correctly pronounce Charlie Melancon’s name. So that’s good. Lord help us all!

By the way…Can anyone explain to me who these latino actors are who are willing to be portrayed as vermin and scum? Do they put this performance on their resume?

Attention: To Pam Geller, the Orthodox Tea Party, yes you read that correctly, and all the rest, this article is for all of you:

Remember in high school when some poor guy always got beat up after school? It became so regular that it felt like part of the daily schedule? Remember too that same guy would every now and then have a day off? Usually it was because some new guy drew the ire of the bully. And if he was lucky, he could even watch the fight and spit on the new guy. It was his turn to revel in a beat down and oftentimes would be seen actually rooting for the bully. Now, I am sure he did this thinking this would win favor with the bully. But as we all know, before long he would be right back at the other end of the fist as if nothing had ever happened.

I was sadly reminded of this over the weekend when NY Gubernatorial nutjob Carl Paladino spoke to Orthodox Jews and said this:

“I don’t want [children] brainwashed into thinking homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option – it isn’t” Paladino said to applause at a meeting with Hasidic Jewish leaders in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

It shocks the senses, doesn’t it? It is surreal watching a room full of Orthodox Jews, who know all too well what it is like to be hated and stereotyped, APPLAUDING what Paladino is saying to them about gays. All you have to do is change one word in Paladino’s speech and pretend it is being said in a square 1930’s Germany:

Did these same folks applaud then? It is astounding that some groups with a history of being hated to the nth degree have the nerve to applaud when another group is being persecuted.

UPDATE: Turns out Paladino changed some of his prepared remarks because they seemed too extreme. According to the NY Daily News, these more incendiary comments were originally “distributed by a rabbi.” Good christ! Are you kidding me? Prepared by a RABBI??? Wholly shit! You can’t make this stuff up because nobody would believe you.

But maybe I have it all wrong. Maybe this is some kind of anger therapy for jews. Maybe it’s just some kind of mental exercise assigned to them by a psychiatrist to help them deal with all of the pain they have suffered throughout history. Just like that poor guy in high school who showed up to watch another beat down. Maybe it made him feel a little better about himself, if only briefly. Maybe Jews believe that if they hate another group then it will take the focus off of them and they will be accepted by the haters. But we all know it is a futile endeavor. They will be right back on the other end of a beat down as soon as it is politically expedient.

Right now gays are hot, let’s face it. They are great wedge issue for the beaten down and for the mentally oppressed who feel like they need something or someone to take their pain out on. For Jews, this is the perfect group to shout at. They cannot applaud hatful comments about blacks or christians because that would open a can of whoop-ass. But gays are safe. They are a fight that they can watch from the sidelines and spit upon. Perhaps they may even gain favor from the bully. Let’s face it, they could use some down time because when they are once again spit upon at least they will have some energy to fight back. Good luck with that.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released their Employment Situation Summary today. It’s great news…if you are a republicans or a tea bagger. But it is not for the reasons you might expect. At first glance you might be thinking yeah its good news for them because it shows what a bad job Obama is doing on the economy. But take a closer look and you will see something quite different. Obama is actually trying to woo republicans and the ball in mouth crowd too.

The BOLS summary states quite clearly:

“Government employment declined (-159,000), reflecting both a drop in the number of temporary jobs for Census 2010 and job losses in local government. Private-sector payroll employment continued to trend up modestly (+64,000)”

According to this report, big government just got a little bit smaller and public sector jobs went up! Very clever Mr. President. I salute you. I am sure FOX “News” will shortly be saying that they were all wrong about you. Obama is really a man of the people and a true tea baller, or whatever they are called. I am sure it is already happening. Let’s see. As much as I hate to do it, I am going to go to foxnews.com and see them gloating about this change of heart from our president. Hang on, I will be right back.

Hmmm…..this is strange. This is the only story I see so far and it’s not what I expected at all:

The jobless rate has now topped 9.5 percent for 14 straight months, the longest stretch since the 1930s. The numbers don’t bode well for Democrats who touted the $814 billion stimulus plan and other government-inspired initiatives to get teh [sic] economy rolling. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele issued a statement saying the unemployment rate should allow voters to issue a “final verdict” on the administration’s economic policies.

Seems FOX was so excited to bash Obama that they not only forgot to check for typos, but it seems they have not yet read the report. That must be it. John Boner was even quoted as saying:

“The report demonstrates the need to enact the Republican “Pledge to America,” which aims to restore jobs and cut spending.”

Boner wants to restore government jobs? How can this be? Isn’t their entire platform built upon the premise that government is bad and does nothing but ruin people’s lives? They want less government. Is Mr. Orange really saying that if we pledge allegiance to their flag that those government jobs would have been saved? Wow! Then I vote for that! Sorry Barry, but I have to go with the party who wants jobs no matter where we find them. If we are to believe Reagan and Glen Beck then Mr. President you sir are FROM the government and therefore you should be here to help. But all those govt. jobs being lost, well it seems to be that today you are a hero to the memory of Reagan and to republicans everywhere. I am sad to see it. But hey, at least you will finally get the praise from the right that you have been waiting for. Praise for firing all those loafing, lazy, good for nuthin government teet suckers. This is what they live for, isn’t it?

I am sure Michael Steele just wasn’t aware of your accomplishment when he made his statements. He was just so excited to make one of his famous from-the-hood smack-down’s on you that he had not yet read the report. I am sure by later this afternoon, once it all sinks in that you will be the hero of the day on FOX. I am so sure of this that I will even hold my breath as I wait for their praise. Ok, here I go…starting now: Huuuuuuuuup………

Reading the news has been maddening these past few months. Being in an election season that’s to be expected. But man, what we are seeing now is just beyond the beyond. I am talking about how republicans and tea partiers, ok…..republicans, are all no-shows at debates or have not even scheduled any. It is unbelievable that it has come to this. It says to me, and hopefully to you too, that republicans have 100% of nothing to offer to the country and are avoiding the media at all costs. But when you look at polling it makes perfect sense why. They are doing well and do not dare risk that fragile house of cards.

Angle, O’Donnell, that unshaven Alaskan porno-looking-guy and most recently David Vitter have all jumped on this bandwagon, not to mention many many others. Hell, even some dems are doing it. But with Vitter and Joe Porno ahead in the polls and Angle closing in, it also shows a stark difference in the two sides’ reasoning for doing so.

According to the WSJ, Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, has a 24-point lead over his opponent. He is refusing to debate. Now, in this case I can understand why. Have you seen his opponent? But remember when Obama debated that other nut Alan Keyes? Sure it was a waste of his time and certainly amusing, but what counted was that it happened. And it made Obama look that much better for having done so.

“Debates are essential,” said Barbara Bartoletti of the League of Women Voters, a frequent sponsor of candidate forums. “There’s been more than enough mud thrown and negativity … but actually not enough substantive airing of the significant issues.”

This is a big point. There has not been any substantive discussion of significant issues at all! Republicans have been trying to out crazy each other on muslims, gays, mexicans and Obama, but nothing has come close to discussion about real things to real people. And this is also precisely why republicans will not and actually cannot debate.

Yes, I said CANNOT show up to debate. Why? If you were ahead in the polls due to your base watching FOX all day and you were counting on them to be highly misinformed why would you disrupt that and go on regular TV? You simply can’t. What republicans have done by postulating about nonsense to their insane base is they have painted themselves into a corner. If they leave well enough alone then the FOX crowd and those last last minute know-nothings who go for the guy with the prettiest poster will vote for them. But if they go prime time then they risk being seen as a nut and allow the other side to actually respond to their insanity and empty rhetoric. That is dangerous.

In a public venue republicans are naked. They are no longer in the matrix. How do you deal with all the red pill swallowers looking at you incredulously as you watch your polling numbers tumble back down to earth. So, I understand the WHY. I just cannot understand the HOW. How are we allowing this to happen? We should be demanding our candidates to show up.

Who is disappointed that Alvin Greene and Jim DeMint won’t be meeting? I know I am. Sure it would have been like watching a car wreck, but also it would give viewers a chance to know what DeMint has planned if when he wins. How about we force our candidates to debate? If they fail to show we just place a cut-out of them starting blankly into the camera. That would get them there I am sure. But I dream.

November is right around the corner and the house of cards that that republicans have built for themselves is teetering, but it’s still standing. We know full well that it is built on a very flimsy foundation. All we need is a good wind to topple it and they know it. But unfortunately, by avoiding all confrontation it has allowed them to forecast fairly sunny skies. What a sad day for all of us if the weather does not change.

BTW, here is where Vitter chose to spend his day rather than debate his challenger:

I was just reading an article on ThinkProgress about Republican Senate candidate and World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon (CT). The article points out that McMahon is against raising the minimum wage. I know, it’s crazy right? What the hell aren’t republicans against when it comes to helping people? The kicker is when asked what exactly the minimum wage is McMahon of course had no freakin clue.

From CT News Junkie: Asked if she thinks the current minimum wage is appropriate or if it should be raised, McMahon said, “you know what guys? I’m just not going to comment any more.”

“Don’t take away this morning that I’m saying that we should scrap minimum wage,” she said. “That is clearly not my position.”

Oh fantastic! Whew! Nice to know you don’t expect people to just work for FREE! Thanks for clearing that up. Wholly cow! So I am reading this and wondering how the hell can a person be this evil. How is it possible to just be so sadistic in your thinking that you would consider $7.25 too high a wage to pay someone for an hour of back breaking work?

So then I started staring at her photo from the article. And I am trying to understand a person like this and what makes them tick. Then it comes to me like Col. Kurtz in Apocalypse Now: I realized… like I was shot… like I was shot with a diamond… a diamond bullet right through my forehead. Of course! This woman is not just a republican she is also a corporatist. And the people who vote for her are corporatists too. The others, those poor working class numbskulls whose minimum wage she is talking about cutting and who will vote for her anyways, are not corporatists. They are simply stupid and full of false rage at the socialist kenyan in the white house and the SEIU, whatever the hell that is. Believe me they don’t know. They will vote for this woman regardless if she says she will cut their minimum wage because they do not understand that part of the story and would not hear if it were screamed at them through a bullhorn.

McMahon is a true Cruella Deville of the highest order! A true monocled elitist who has the monopoly guy over for dinner. She does not actually see people who make less than her. And when I say she doesn’t see them I don’t mean they are not there. They most certainly ARE there! They physically take up space around her, washing her cars, mowing her lawn, cleaning her house, raising her kids, etc. But they are not really people, you see. She has no ability to visualize them as living, feeling emotional sentient beings. You follow?

To her, the minimum wage is not associated with anything tangible outside of a number on a spreadsheet. She sees bottom lines, bar graphs, votes and quid pro quos from her corporatist endorsers. And as such, she is able to separate herself from any emotion. Which is what makes her a true republican and a true corporatist. This goes back to the early days of the barons. The men who saw only textiles, raw materials, profits, government connections…I.E. blind power! To them it is not possible to see what that brings along with it; to the very people who enabled them to become power brokers in the first place.

Her only concern, as is the only concern of any true corporatist is to look at the businesses and how it affects their bottom line, and their stockholders bottom line.

McMahon: “I think we ought to look at all of those issues in terms of what mandates are being placed on businesses and can they afford them. I think we should get input from our business community. We should listen to our small business operators and we should hear what it is they have to say and how it’s impacting their businesses and make some of those decisions.”

Forget getting input from actual workers and how they feel about it. That is counterproductive to the corporatists worldview. And make no mistake. This is not about capitalism either. If McMahon was a true conservative she would not want the government getting involved in minimum wage issues. That would be best left to the companies themselves to decide, right?

Bottom line is McMahon is correct to STFU about minimum wage issues. You can’t really blame her for saying what she did though. She was just excited about an endorsement. From Thinkprogress:

“The National Federation of Independent Businesses, a “prominent business interest lobby” that also takes issue with unemployment insurance, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family Medical Leave Act.”

Being a corporate shill as she and every republican is means never having to think about the not rich guy…ever! Unless of course there are reporters in the room and they pickup on the significance of your new endorsement. In that case, McMahon just did what every red blooded republican would do and is doing. They are either leaving reporters in their dust or going on FOX. Wake up folks! November is right around the corner.

I was reading the blogs this morning and think that someone needs to start a website called “Republicans are always wrong!” It would be so easy to get going. All it need contain are bullet points of republican conspiracies starting on the day they bring it out to the day it is debunked. To clarify further, I am talking about when FOX gets a hold of something, for example, and it becomes a new scary narrative for republicans and retarded sign holders at public events.

Yes, Politifact is the closest thing we have to this idea. It’s a great site. Don’t get me wrong. But it is more about lies and the liars who tell them on a daily basis. It is more about talking points than conspiracies. The blogs do a good job individually, but I think we need to see it in one place so we can keep track and organize them. Like a file cabinet for conspiracies and how long it took for them to be proven false.

Take for example ACORN. This was a huge conspiracy right? A giant campaign to scare and spread doubt about Democrats. Remember?

The House Judiciary Committee member described the ACORN saga as “the largest corruption crisis in the history of America.”

Rep. Steve King: ACORN scandal bigger than Watergate.

How long did that take to debunk? Six months?

So when a conspiracy appears we can feign interest and shock and then start the clock. Yes! That would be cool! The website could have a timer that starts next to each new bullet point and is stopped when it is ruled false and a lie. Similar to Politifact but with timers in place of the “Truth-o-Meter”.

What do you think? All I am asking for is someone with alot of time to create this new site. It will be very popular and you can take all the credit for the idea. I will be looking out for it. Please hurry!

• House Minority Leader John Boehner: “The Pledge is not about potential solutions, but rather just serves to highlight the problems”

Hmmmm…..Maybe I need to read the pledge again. I thought they were offering groundbreaking new ideas to save the country. As I was reading it I came across this:

“We make this pledge bearing true faith and allegiance to the people we represent, and we invite fellow citizensand patriots to join us in forming a new governing agenda for America.” (Emphasis mine)

So just last week this was a “new governing agenda for America.” But then people, including FOX “News”, called them on it and suddenly this week it is really just an outline about how they imagine they would do things if they get back into power. Don’t take it too literally people. It’s just a proposal. It’s nothing new! C’mon! Why do people always get lost in the details? Sheesh! How on earth does anyone paying even a little bit of attention vote for these guys? It boggles the mind.

Well, ok, so they have a plan that is not really a plan. It is merely an outline of what they want to do that is not really new, but we should vote for them anyway because they were so good at it the first time, and we should right our mistake and vote them back into power. Whew! Ok. I will give them the benefit of the doubt and look at the highlights of their non-pledge promise proposal:

Cutting taxes for the rich – From politicalaffairs.net: “According to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the Republican Party’s plan would kill as many as 1.1 million jobs.”

Republicans are Deficit Hawks – “The GOP proposal reduces the federal deficit by a mere 5 percent. To reach this lofty goal, “non-military spending would have to be gutted by some $350 billion. Oh and “say good-bye to investments in expanding broadband access, research and development in clean energy alternatives, improved healthcare infrastructure, improved roads and bridges, new mass transit, improvements in waste management, environmental clean-up, higher quality education, additional community health centers, and anti-poverty protections for unemployed workers and their families.” You know, entitlement programs.

Did I mention deficits? – “The pledge adds $629 billion to the deficit.”

Of course the republicans have not and will not say exactly what they will cut when they are voted back into power. But no worries. I am sure they will do what is best for the country as a whole and also be strict Constitutionalists like they always have been. Stop laughing. I am serious!

You know that quote?: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Nobody on the right seems to like this pledge because anyone with half a brain knows that it is the same shit over and over again with no new results. The only people this can fool are folks who do not know how to read or who blindly vote republican no matter what. For everyone else, get the word out everyday until November!

The “pledge” that is not really a promise but rather a thesis is all the republicans have to go on right now. In reality they got nuthin’. What we have been fed for the past 18 months had nothing of substance. We had ACORN, Birthers, Mosques, Mexicans, Black Panthers, and on and on. Nothing of real value that lasted longer than a sound bite or a single news cycle.

It is vital to remember that Republicans do not govern! It is not what they do. What they do is fear and loathing and “pledging” while Dems on the other hand get busy governing and trying new things. Really, when you think about it this is nothing new. It is the same thing over and over……wait…..oh no! The same thing over and over again?…where have I heard that before?

The title of this post comes from a book about how awful software design is because it is being designed by the wrong people, namely engineers when it should be done by actual designers. Now, just for fun I took the description of the book from Amazon and replaced some key words to see what would happen. I swapped engineers for Republicans, business executives for voters and hi-tech industry forAmerica. Look what I got.

From Amazon (with my changes in place):

The Inmates are Running the Asylum argues that, despite appearances, voters are simply not the ones in control of the country. They have inadvertently put republicans in charge, leading to products and processes that waste huge amounts of money, squander customer loyalty, and erode competitive advantage.

Pretty cool right? Or is it sickening? Folks, November is right around the corner and so far it is not looking good for Democrats. Forget for a moment that democrats really suck bad at winning elections and STILL do not seem to get that they are losing the popular vote. I am scared, actually scared about the prospect of some of these characters being in charge of the government. I mean, when I watch someone like Rand Paul or Newt Gingrich speak about anything I get scared. I am more scared of them and their ilk than any boogie man muslim terrorist any day of the week. And even scarier is that voters are buying what they are selling! How can it be?

Today, I heard a woman say that she feels that Obama needs to do a better job at getting republicans to the table to get things done. It is moments like this when it hits me hard in the face. THIS is the voting public! I am on the computer all day and I read about politics all day. But most people are not like me. They watch TV and read newspapers and listen to what people like David Gregory and Bill O’Reilly tell them. To these folks, Obama is failing because of some made up story about his lack of leadership. But we of course know the truth: Republicans will not work with any democrat ever for any reason whatsoever for one very simple reason. They want to to take the power back! It is politics 101 for anyone paying attention. But unfortunately, not that many people actually are.

To the average voter politics means getting the two sides to work together. To do what is right for the country and to put aside our differences to get it done. To the average voter our govt. is a functioning body that thinks about what is best for the people as a whole. I know, it sounds funny. But that is the reality for many people. For them it is simply about Obama stepping up to the plate and being a strong leader. They believe the lies because they have nothing else to go on. It makes me feel as if I live on another planet where reality is some underground movement.

History will likely look upon this year as the election season when politics went off the rails. When insanity became mainstream and when voters, who just 18 months prior elected a black man to the presidency, would go on to elect some of the most insane and unqualified nutcases in American history. And make no mistake about it. If these folks get into power all that talk about sticking to the Constitution and getting out of our lives will be turned on its head once these nuts decide to change the Constitution and invade our lives with anti-gay marriage laws, anti-abortion laws, anti-freedoms of anything except Christianity laws, you name it. If they don’t like it then Constitution be damned!

If I had a wish it would be to get through to one republican, to be able to pull back the veil that is their thousand yard stare and say to them you are being hoodwinked. Nothing you are seeing is real. If you vote for these people you are not winning anything for yourself. Nothing! In fact, things will get much worse for you than they already are.

I know it is not going to happen any more than a republican is going to convince me that a community center is really a terrorist meeting place. But a guy can dream can’t he? Come November regardless of what happens, some crazies will become Senators and Congressman of the United States of America. They will be muslim hating, gay bashing, anti-abortionist Christian zealots who will want placate their base. And they will succeed because don’t forget the media LOVES em’ some crazy!

So who better to leave you with than the masters of crazy, the Tea Party. This video clip is of Randall Terry. He is the founder of an organization that applauds when abortion doctors die. While he may not become a law maker, I think he nevertheless epitomizes how far we have come this election season towards giving the keys to the inmates. Watching this video may be amusing at first, but give people like this the keys to the ship and then it is not so funny anymore. Did I mention I was scared?

Why does the media always refer to Jon Stewart as a mock newsman or worse: “fake news”?

Here is the first line from an early release of a USAWeekend article for Stewart’s new book:

“It takes a brave man to report fake news of the world every night and do it well…”

Fake News? Huh? What is fake about the news he reports? Let’s clarify this. The Onion is fake news, albeit funny. We can all agree to that. It is fake. There is no mistake about it. That it what they do and that is called parody. However, what is fake about the news Stewart is doing? Can someone explain it to me?

Every night when he reports stories they are factual, real and truthful. How is that parody? Even the other guys on the show, while very funny, are not making up news. They are talking about things going on right now, topical. So again why is this “fake news”? Sure they take some things out of context, but who in “real” news doesn’t do that?

To be honest, when I look at the so-called “real” journalists in the main stream media I am not all that impressed. Katie Couric is real? Wolf freakin Blitzer? Charles Gibson??? Larry god damned King? RU shitting me?

Here is what Katie Couric has the nerve to put on her bio on twitter:

“True journalism separates fact from fiction. Passionate about discovering what makes the world tick. I’m a Journalist, Anchor, Single Mom, Straight Shooter.”

What’s the biggest mistake you’ve ever made – how did you recognize it-and what did you do to change course?

What’s the worst piece of advice you’ve ever given another person?

Seriously, these are real questions Couric asked of Presidential candidates in 2007. Was she interviewing them for the HR department? Why does this make me so mad? Because by calling The Daily show “fake news” we give people like Couric and CBS and, god forbid, CNN legitimacy. Stewart even plays along and calls his show “fake news.” It’s right in the Daily Show tag line. He did it on O’Reilly the other night.

Mr. Stewart I get it. Wink wink. But it’s only funny to the initiated. To your fans. It is actually embarrassing when the rest believe this to be the case. When you go on FOX, FOX! and yuck it up with O’Reilly about your fake newsiness it makes me sad. By doing that you in the same moment make Glen Beck, O’Reilly, Couric and…..jesus christ…..Larry King, that much more REAL! Can you stop doing that please? Pretty please?

Well….in any event, here is some fake news strictly for enjoyment purposes. Please pay no attention to its news value. After all it’s fake:

Today’s the day that Obama and the Dems Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and related Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, enacted by Congress in March 2010 goes into effect. So of course, if you pay attention then you just wait to see what the other side is going to do to distract from this monumental accomplishment.

Insert music from Jeopardy here….

Ding! Here it is from the NYTimes:

Capitol Hill Republicans, eager to offer a positive vision for the direction they would take the country if they seize control of Congress, will present their “Pledge to America” at an event in Virginia this morning.

From CBS: “House Republicans plan to release their legislative agenda for the next Congress Thursday morning during an event at a hardware store in Sterling Va…..The agenda will focus on five areas: jobs, spending, health care, national security and reforming Congress itself.

Finished laughing yet? Yes, the republicans have released their “Pledge to America.” Their absurd promise to do things differently than what these nearly exact same players did for the past 8 years. To even be taking this seriously shows we are displaying a shockingly short term memory.

Republicans are going to be unveiling it officially today at a hardware store in Virginia because, you know, republicans can really relate with these guys. I could go into lengthy facts about how ironic this “pledge” is considering they destroyed each of those five areas they claim to be focusing on this time around.

But what is important here is not the document. Even conservative nuts don’t like it. This document is being released and was written for ONE reason ONLY! Obama made health care a little tiny bit better today than it was yesterday and republicans know how much that sucks for them and how great it is for the country. In fact, they are claiming in this new “pledge” that one of the first things they will do is repeal the entire thing if they get back into power. Anyone who takes this seriously is an ardent Obama hater or a part-time voter who only hears what CNN or FOX “News” tells them while they are texting and flipping between Dancing with the Stars during the commercials. This document is nothing more than political posturing during an election season and hollow in its promises.

“The document provides almost no specifics about what the party would do to control health care spending, improve quality, or pay for its reforms. And at least 7 of the GOP’s ideas on health care are already included in Obama’s health care law.

This is a joke. The republican party, already reeling from losses to insane Tea Party folks are scrambling to find a voice and a way to have some relevancy with the insane clown posse that is their voter base. It is not working. Obama is doing more in a year than these guys EVER accomplished, unless you are one of the mega wealthy in this country.

It makes me want to make an emergency call:

Ring Ring….Hello? Short term memory? Can I have a word with you? Republicans are promising to do what they had eight years to do and DID NOTHING in that time! Now, short-term memory, I know you can’t really focus on things for too long and I don’t blame you for that. It is our culture. It is in our blood. But if you could, before you make a disastrous decision this November and put these folks back into power, please short-term memory name ONE thing republicans have EVER done for the 99% of the country that are not mega-rich.

Insert music from Jeopardy here….Ding!

Short-term memory: They gave us all a $500 refund check.

Oh right. Good one short-term memory! How’s that working out for you today?

Ever see the movie Billy Madison? Here is a quote that I think should start off this post:

“Mr. Madison, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”

Now watch this video and tell me this quote does not sum up the content of this conversation perfectly:

Now, for those of you who ignore FOX, congratulations. For the rest, this clip needs some explaining. Chris Coons is the guy running against that sexually repressed hottie from Delaware, Christine O’Donnell, who thinks about NOT masturbating all day. Well, of course the right wing is humping her leg fiercely this week after her win over the incumbent Senator Mike Castle, who by the way before this week had not lost an election in Delaware for over forty years. I’m not kidding. Anyways, the right is looking for anything to try to get this nutty woman into the hearts and minds of the republican base in Delaware. In other words they feel that the three people who vote republican in Delaware need some more convincing.

So they go with this creative gem of a story: Chris Coons is a self-proclaimed Marxist. I know. I know. For the right this is not really creative, but it works. Although you cannot find a single person on the right to tell you what a Marxist is, it sounds scary.

Now let’s talk about what Coons actually said. Here is a quote from an article in 1985 from his college newspaper. In the article Coons discusses his “previously-held political beliefs and “America” during his time at Amherst, including a semester spent in Kenya.” (quote taken from Media Matters)

“Going to Kenya was one of the few real decisions I have made; my friends, family, and professors all advised against it, but I went anyway. My friends now joke that something about Kenya, maybe the strange diet, or the tropical sun, changed my personality; Africa to them seems a catalytic converter that takes in clean-shaven, clear-thinking Americans and sends back bearded Marxists.”

Did you get that? He claimed to be a Marxist after returning from Kenya. Huh? What? You disagree? That is not what he said? Are you sure? Read it again. I think you misread it. I’ll wait…..

No? You still disagree? He did not say he was a Marxist, but was rather just relating something that his friends said jokingly about what they feel happens to people who visit Kenya? Hmmm…..Interesting. Well, if you are on FOX news or watch FOX news or listen to FOX news you actually read that same exact quote but heard this:

“Africa was a catalytic converter that took me, a clean-shaven, clear-thinking American and sent me back a bearded Marxist.”

Watch the cip above again and watch how they ignore what Coons actually said and just go with their narrative. The conversation that follows is so inane and asinine that it is a sight to behold. A true Billy Madison moment.

America, we are currently facing dangerous times. A time where republicans are voting for folks who are so unbelievably unqualified for political office that we might as well elect Billy Madison. The name even sounds presidential doesn’t it? Listening to conversations like the one above as they twist reality so easily is fascinating. Knowing that FOX has the largest viewership of any cable news channel is downright horrifying. They know what they are doing and they know that their audience does not. It is classic bait and switch and true snake oil salesman tactics on a massive scale. And lest you be fooled, it is working very well. Christine O’Donnell was a nobody last week, like Sarah Palin was once. An opportunist empty vessel who would jump onto any bandwagon for their own personal gain. And they are gaining. They are winning in the popular vote and in today’s breakneck media pace that is all that counts.

In November, when Dems get to vote as well, it is my prayer that we show up and show up strong. We cannot allow people like O’Donnell or anyone that FOX promotes to become powerful. To do so vindicates the Billy Madison’s of the world and makes those who criticize them the stupid ones. It turns the world upside down and to right it will take a herculean effort. We have to stop it from happening and say this November as loudly as we can: Billy we’ve “had to listen to your jawing for too long…Blah, blah, blah! Just shut up!”

Most people do not know it, perhaps because Democrats are too intelligent or too stupid for their own good, but in two days the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and related Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, enacted by Congress in March 2010 will go into effect.

What does this mean? Alot!

The following are reforms that begin for plan years that begin on or after September 23, 2010. And just to drive the point home, I took these bullets from the FOX Business website who in turn got it from Insure.com. Because let’s face it, there is no way to get around this even for FOX.

So what happens in two days that so many on the right are vehemently opposed to and are promising to repeal if they get back into power?

Let’s see:

1. No pre-existing condition exclusions for children under age 19: Nuff Said!

2. No arbitrary rescissions of health insurance: Rescission is a widely criticized practice whereby insurers have been able to rescind insurance when a patient becomes sick. The rescission is based on an unintentional mistake on the initial enrollment paperwork by either the patient or employer. Health care reform eliminates this practice, except in cases of patient fraud or intentional misrepresentation. All insurers are subject to this new rule.

3. No lifetime limits on health insurance coverage: Over 100 million Americans have plans that set caps on the total amount of coverage. The caps expose patients to the risk of exhausting coverage in the midst of a costly procedure, when they need it most. For example, a leukemia patient in need of aggressive chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant and hospital stays could exhaust the typical $1 million dollar lifetime limit in less than a year. The new provision prohibits lifetime limits on any plan issued or renewed after Sept. 23.

4. No annual limits on coverage: Similarly, annual limits will be gradually phased out beginning Sept. 23. Initially, health insurance plans will not be able to set annual limits lower than $750,000 per year. That minimum limit rises to $1.25 million next year on Sept. 23, 2011, and $2 million the following year. Beginning Jan 1, 2014, annual limits will be prohibited for most health plans.

Anything else? Um….yeah:

These measures remedy some of the most controversial practices in the health industry. With the Sept. 23, 2010, effective date, the reform legislation ensures that patients who need care the most — those recently diagnosed with or currently battling serious illness — have the health insurance they need.

1. Protecting choice of health care provider: Patients will have the option to select and keep a primary care doctor from among the insurance company’s participating provider network. In addition to promoting a long-term relationship between patient and doctor, this provision encourages patients to seek preventive care, which lowers hospitalization rates and costs. The rule also prohibits insurers from requiring a referral for obstetric or gynecological care.

2. Improved access to emergency services: Health insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage or demand that patients pay co-insurance for the use of out-of-network emergency services. This protects patients who become ill on the road or far from a network hospital.

3. Preventive services covered: Beginning Sept. 23, all new or renewed health insurance plans must cover preventive services such as vaccinations, mammograms, colonoscopies, and nutrition counseling for obese patients. These services must be free to the patient, with no applicable deductible, co-pay or co-insurance. (Emphasis mine.)

4. Adult children covered to age 26: Children will have extended access to health insurance coverage under their parents’ health insurance plan until age 26, unless they qualify for health insurance through their employer.

Amazingly, there are people who read this and STILL hate it and want it to go away. And Democrats are no exception. All over the country so-called Democrats are unbelievably running away from this accomplishment or are being advised to. And the reason’s for this are simple, if you are following the narrative:

1. This is an election year and as usual fear and ignorance rule the day. Health care is big. It’s huge. And it’s complicated. It is not a simple wedge issue like abortion, mexicans and gays. It takes thought and discussion to understand it all. And most importantly, it will make life better for many Americans. So what is a republican to do? Well, they throw in “death panels” and “rationed care”, ol’ standby France and of course Canada. The result is a recipe for fear, ignorance and naturally, alot of republican votes.

2. Health reform is a good thing for America and republican leaders know it. They also know that huge health care corporations hate it. And anyone who does not live under a rock knows that republicans are always on the side of capitalism and short term gains. So they want to repeal it. It makes them look like they somehow care about Americans by lying about the bad things it will do when in fact they are scared to death of all the good things it will do. If they just ignore it then Democrats win big for years to come because 99% of the population will benefit from it.

Let’s face it, if these reforms were really a bad thing, really really bad, republicans would be letting it happen so we can all watch it fail miserably. Then they can say they told us so. Think of Iraq. I believe Dems voted for it because they HAD to in terms of American sentiment at the time and also because they knew it would fail so badly that they could then blame it on the party in power in the next election cycle. And that is exactly what happened. When dealing with republicans failure is an easy bet. Much harder to do when Dems are in power though and as a result republicans can;t just watch it fail because again it won’t.

In the end, and after the 23rd comes and goes and death panels don’t materialize and ignorant scared sheeple find their health benefits better than ever, will they still want to reform it? Probably. So I have a suggestion. Let’s add a check box on the enrollment form where anyone who wants to can opt-out and keep their current plan. And this will not be retro-active.

Of course you can opt-in the following year. Just watch how many so-called conservatives decide to. Once their misplaced anger of imaginary scary things dies down they will find that they actually benefit from these reforms. And if they are sick by that time? No worries. Just sign up and all those pre-existing condition issues that you worried so much about will magically disappear.

And if any of your conservative friends call you a sell out or a marxist or a socialist for opting in just tell them to stop complaining. It is bad for their health and they cannot really afford to get sick.

Every now and then I come across something on the web that has to be shared. Aside from politics, my other passion and hobby is listening to good music and finding cool sites that share it.

Back in the day, when I was a kid, there was only radio and this was one of the best. The King Biscuit Flower Hour was an interview and concert show on FM radio. It was the ONLY place to hear your favorite rockers talk and perform. There was no Youtube, MTV, no nuthin! You had to use your imagination. These were the days when to just see your favorite rocker move was something. There are some awesome interviews and concerts.

“We have 30 million people in our footprint…that’s 10% of the population…Here’s the good news. This 10% is going to be the shelter for the other 90%…out of this 10% will be the leaders of tomorrow.”

You have to love this guy for his ignorance. Well, not really love him but you know what I mean. Huffington ran a story back in March about the number of babies being born in the U.S. in 2010. For republicans, who let’s face it, count overwhelmingly on white people to get votes, this is very bad news.

The Huffington article says this:

“Demographers say this year could be the “tipping point” when the number of babies born to minorities outnumbers that of babies born to whites.”

Ouch! Terrible news indeed! Afterall, they have tried to court minorities on a few different occasions. But the result is always the same. Republicans just cant help themselves. They are really hateful racists at heart. Before they even realize it they are getting rid of Mexicans in Arizona and scaring the bejeezus out of folks because some Black Panthers did something or other. Who even knew there were still Black Panthers? Republicans sure did and they made sure to let their followers know about it. Is this shocking news to anyone? If so, please remove the rock that you have been sleeping under and come out into the fresh air of reality.

Just yesterday, former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer, a guy who last year was a “Obama is indoctrinating out children” nut job came out publicly and said this:

“In the year since I issued a prepared statement regarding President Obama speaking to the nation’s school children, I have learned a great deal about the party I so deeply loved and served. Unfortunately, I found that many within the GOP have racist views and I apologize to the President for my opposition to his speech last year and my efforts to placate the extremists who dominate our Party today. My children and I look forward to the President’s speech.”

Of course the moment after he said this republican heads everywhere exploded. You may have mistook it for thunder. Here is a sample of what the republican blogosphere had to say:

“Says the crooked fat man who with the notable lack of black friends? Are you talking about your own racist views, Greer?”

The GOP is in defense mode. And naturally, Greer is being thrown under the bus. Not to mention the fact that he is also facing fraud and money laundering charges. He must have just lost his mind. Afterall, we all know that republicans were the party of Lincoln. How can they be racist?

It is important for republicans to never let on that they are in fact the same southern democrats from the civil war. And the same folks who Lyndon Johnson understood that Dems would lose forever when he passed civil rights laws. It is vital to keep the facade. It is why a black man is their party chairman and why Glen Beck seems to think white people own MLK day as much as black people do. To get votes, to get listeners, to get viewers, republicans NEED white folks. White folks are the main ingredient in successful elections and in making money.

But herein lies the problem. FOX “News” is one of the most watched networks on Earth and also has the oldest audience in all of cable, not to mention the most Christian. What does that mean? Well, we all know that FOX is the mouth piece for the republican party. As FOX goes so goes the republican voting block. Therefore, taken together, FOX and the Republican Party have an life expectancy problem. Over time, their viewers are going to die and according to factual data they are not making enough babies to make up for that loss. Sure, there will be plenty of hateful white folks to go around for some time. But republicans, as it always the case, are not capable of thinking long term.

Think about this for a moment:

“Census projections suggest America may become a minority-majority country by the middle of the century.”

Add to this the well known fact that latino and black women have multiple babies in their lifetimes while white women are having less. This could be one reason why John Gibson pleaded to his audience back in 2006 on his now cancelled show to “make more babies.” No really….he did. Don’t believe me?

See for yourself:

Hard to watch, I know. Make no mistake that republican’s are scared. They know the deal. They have done so much damage to minority relations that there is no turning back. Sure they may relate to Christians and to white people….er….old white men, but what about black or latino men who may also be Christian? Well…not so much. With an ongoing strategy of winning battles but never the war, republicans are going to find themselves more and more isolated in the decades to come. Let’s face i Mexicans scare them, as do black people. And they make sure to remind their followers of this everysingleday.

Before I commandeered the slogan for my website, the Tea Party loved to say they wanted to “take my country back!” Of course the Tea Party and the Republican Party are exactly the same people and they mean exactly the same thing. They mean to take the country back from a black president, from mexicans, from anyone NOT white and NOT Christian. It’s a losing battle of course and their only hope is to plead with their followers to make more babies.

Sadly for them and thankfully for the rest of us, the message seems to be falling on deaf ears.

Hey Republicans? I am concerned for you. Obama spoke to OUR children the other day. You know, the day he gives a speech to children who are going back to school? Now, I know you have been busy. There is a scary former coat store turing into a bomb factory, Mexicans are cutting off heads in Arizona, gays are marrying horses, and of course, an election is coming up. But I wanted to remind you to get back to basics. Obama just spoke to YOUR CHILDREN!!! What happened to indoctrination? Isn’t that what he was up to just least year?

The Surburban Chicago News said today

“In District 203, the response from parents this year was “much, much, much less” than last year, said Russ Fletcher, interim director of communications.”

I wonder why? Was his speech any different or was it that FOX “News” forget to tell you to be upset about it? Please Republicans, you have to try to find outrage on your own because just listen to this from Obama to our kids:

“Nobody gets to write your destiny but you. Your future is in your hands. Your life is what you make of it. And nothing — absolutely nothing — is beyond your reach,” Obama told students. “So long as you’re willing to dream big. So long as you’re willing to work hard. So long as you’re willing to stay focused on your education, there is not a single thing that any of you can’t accomplish.”

OMG!!!!! Have you ever read such socialist communist fascist marxist (did I forget one?) clap trap in your life?? FOX was so outraged that they could not ever get themselves to tell you about it long enough to make you outraged. Shame on FOX for allowing this muslim to hypnotize our kids AGAIN without so much as raising the threat level to peach. Who does he think he is?

Well, please be sure to mark your calendars for next year. Don’t wait for FOX to give you marching orders. If you wait for them to tell you what to be mad about then how are you supposed to be mad at anything on our own? It seems futile. Remember when anger was something you could have on your own? Those were the good ol’ days. You could base anger on your own thoughts and feelings. If FOX is now your conscious the least they can do is be consistent, right?